11–12Society and Culture 11–12 Syllabus (2026)

The Society and Culture 11–12 Syllabus enables students to develop knowledge and understanding of sociological ideas and issues in the world in which they live. It is a multidisciplinary field of study that examines continuity and change and potential futures. Through the application of course concepts, social theory and social research, students investigate and analyse contemporary social and cultural systems in Australia and globally.

Through the study of Society and Culture 11–12, students develop:

• a sociological perspective, through which they interpret and analyse social organisation, issues and interactions
• an understanding of social and cultural groups through the application of social and cultural concepts across a range of contemporary contexts
• understanding and skills to conduct ethical primary and secondary social research, and synthesise data to communicate evidence-informed analyses
• critical thinking, ethical decision-making and an appreciation of diversity in global social and cultural groups.

The Year 11 Society and Culture course comprises a study of:

• 120 indicative hours across 3 focus areas.

The Year 12 Society and Culture course comprises a study of:

• 120 indicative hours across 4 focus areas.

Students study TWO options from:

• Popular culture
• Social conformity and non-conformity
• Social inclusion and exclusion
• Worldview.

Social and cultural concepts are specific tools used to organise, investigate and analyse subject matter. In the Society and Culture 11–12 Syllabus the concepts of individuals, society, culture, identity, environment, power, authority and continuity and change are essential content for organising knowledge about how individuals relate to each other and to larger social and cultural systems across different contexts.

The Social and cultural concepts form the basis for teaching and learning in the syllabus and are a conceptual framework for teaching the specific content in each focus area. The syllabus content also supports students to learn about and apply other relevant social and cultural concepts.

Throughout the Society and Culture 11–12 Syllabus students engage in social research. Undertaking research supports students’ understanding of social and cultural concepts and how they interact and influence society. By planning and conducting research, students learn the importance of ethical research practices and processes to ensure they engage responsibly and respectfully with the individuals involved in their research activities.

The Social and cultural concepts and social research content is to be integrated with the course content as appropriate.

The Society and Culture 11–12 Syllabus embeds the use of case studies throughout course content. The use of a case study allows students to deepen their understanding of the Social and cultural concepts and their interaction, and to apply their knowledge to social or cultural groups. The syllabus specifies where case studies are to be used and the content for each. Case studies selected in Year 12 must not overlap with or duplicate significantly any other case study to be attempted in the course.

Across Years 11 and 12, the selection of case studies must include subject matter that is:

• from the last 10 years
• from an Australian and international context.

Schools are required to ensure they follow Loading  in delivering the Society and Culture 11–12 Syllabus.